Web centering device



Aug. 19, 1952 P.MOREY 2,607,583

' WEB CENTERING DEVICE Filed July 9, 1948 s Sheets-She et 1 FIG].

LEON P- MOREY l N VE N TOR y B) V j ZZTONEYS' Aug. 19, 1952 L. P. MOREY WEB CENTERING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 9, 1948 T0 NEYS INVENTOR BY r LEON P. MOREY L. P. MOREY 2,607,588 I Aug. 19, 1952 Q WEB CENTERING DEVICE Filed July 9, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 LEON R M REY INVENTOR Aug'. 19, 1952 L. P. MOREY 2,6

WEB'CENTERING DEVICE She ts-Sheet 5 Filed July 9, 1948 FIG. 13. Q

zoo

111 zz-z' w I l]: 2 121 1J8 LEON P. MOREY INVENTOR Patented Aug. 19, 1952 WEB CENTERING' DEVICE Leon P. Morey, Rochester, N. Y., assignorto Eastman Kodak Company, Rncheste N. Y., .a corporation of New Jersey Application July 9, 1948, Serial No. 37,923

1 The present invention relates to a web handling apparatus and more particularly to a web centering or steering device. I

This device has been designed primarily for centering a web, such as a web of photographic film base, as the latter is being moved to a coating apparatus, and is adapted to correct the wandering of the web from the center line of the machine and to recenter the web relative thereto. Experience indicates that by the time the film has reached the coating apparatus, it may have drifted from one to two inches in eitherdirection away from the center line of the machine. Yet, it is necessary when the web reaches the coating roll that the film should be within of an inch of the center .line in order to maintain the margins customary in hopperv coating. In order to deliver the film web to the coating roll on the center line of the machine, the film or Web centering device of the present invention was developed.

The usual method of web centering is to tilt one or more rolls contacting the web so that the web is stressed at only one edge to cause it to return with more or less accuracy to a centeredposition atsome point in its travel perhaps several feet from the control point where the roll was tilted. Such a method is characterized by constant hunting, a wide increment of drift, and somewhat indefinite centering control.

In the centering device of the present invention, on the, other hand, the detection of side drift and the complete correction for drift occur at substantially the same location on the web. The result is that a fine increment of control has been obtained. comprises broadly, a rigid hollow rectangular frame which is pivotedfor lateral planar move- 1 ment. Inthe present embodiment,.this frame is shown arranged in a vertical position, but this is merely by way of illustration as it is evident that the frame may be arranged horizontally,

inclined, or in any other suitable position and still function to vcenter the web of film as will :be hereinafter described. The frame carries a pair of vertically aligned guide rollers over which the film moves. The film is fed to and from the frame by a pair of vertically aligned fixed rollers which are in substantial horizontal alignment with the rollers of the frame so that the portions of the web passing to and from the frame are in parallel planes and normal to the plane of the rollers on the frame. Thus, the web passes through a 90-degree angle when directed to and from the frame member. Drive means is con- The present centering device 13 Claims (01. 271 2.6

I the frame, the center, line of the webbeing fed.

nected to the frame to tilt the latter about'a pivot to vary the relationship of the frame to the.

web to recenter the latter relative to the machine. A spring-pressed pad engages a marginal edge of the web and moves laterally therewith. This pad is located at the closest practical point on the lateral edge of the webs preceding the leaving roll of the frame, and controls the, drive means so that the frame will be pivoted or tilted in the proper direction and, in the proper amount to recenter the web as it leaves the frame. As the frame is pivoted, the latter, with its pivot, is moved verticallyso that in 'all'tilted positions of to the frame will always be in the same plane,

for a reason to be later described. When the web is exhausted, a second feeler pad, which engages. the opposite edge of the web,'is1 actuated to'dis-t-v connect automatically the first pad from the cir cult of the drive motor and to connect the second pad in to. the motor circuit to return the frame to its centered position so that-the frame will be centered at the start of the next operation. When the frame reaches the center position, .the circuit controlled by the second pad is opened to retain the frame in its center position.

The invention has as its principal object the provision of a device for centering a moving web. A still further object of the invention is'the provision of a web centering device which does not impart unequal tensions in the web'edges during centering.

And another object bf the invention is the" detection of side drift of the web and the com plete connection therefor occur at substantially the same location on the web.

Yet another object'of the invention is the provision of an arrangement by which the rate of adjustment of the centering mechanism is within a predetermined percentage of the lineal speed of the web to prevent the formation of wrinkles therein.

Another object of the invention is the provi: sions'of aweb centering device which is automatic, positive, accurate and highly effective in I use.

7T0. these ando'ther ends, the invention resides j n certain unprovements and combinations of 1 parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully de- Fig; 3 is a front elevation view of another form.

of centering frame adapted for use with a wider Web than the frame illustrated in Fig. :1, showing 7 the operating parts;

Fig. 4 is a side view Of the frame inechanism" illustratedin Fig. 3, with parts in'section, showing the relation thereto to the coating apparatus or roller;

is provided. The lower ends of the sides 24 have secured thereto or formed integral therewith, a pair of rearwardly extending arms 23 in'which is journaled the axis 21 of a lower idler roller 28, the axis 21 being parallel to the bottom 22. In the arrangement in Fig. 1, the sides 24, adjacent to top thereof, have projecting rearwardly therefrom a pairof arms 29,,which supportt'he axis: 36 of theupper idler roller 3i, the axis as being parallel to the bottom 22 and the axis 21, and in vertical alignment with the latter. Thus the rollers 28 and 3| are in vertical alignment and parallel. The arms 29 extend beyond, the roller 3l and support the axis 32 of the arrangement in Fig. 3, the upper and inter- Fig. 5 is an external side elevation view of the housing for the movable centering frame and'the coating apparatus, showing the various controls;

6 is a front viewf the web-engaging feeler-pad housing with the cover plate removed, showing the mechanism for'adjusting the pad and the relation to the switches which are-controlled by the'pad-movem'entj a 7 is avertical'sectional through the housing of the pad support; illustrated in Fig. '6, showing the mountingv for the'pad. d

' Fig;'l8.is a partial left side' elevation view of the structure illustrated in Figs. 6 and'7 Fig.9 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View through the gear housing, showing the arrangement-for connecting the m otorto the frame-mov ing means;

Fig. 101 is a side elevation view of the drive motor .and the gear box illustrated in-Fig. 9- with the latter in sectionQshowing the means for diagram of the various electrical circuits.

Similar reference numerals throughout the various views indicate the same parts.

- The centering or, steering device of the present invention comprises amoving roll frame, a drive for the moving roll frame, operating controls for the steering-of film,- and mechanisms for centeringthe moving'roll frame. This device is primarily designedlforcentering a web of photographic filmweb 2'0 of substantial width, such,

for example, 50 inches, so'as to' deliver the web ina centered, relation to a coating roller 21. As the ,coating structure: does 'not constitute a part,of-'the present invention, details thereof. aren'otdescribed or-illustrated. I

The moving section consists of 'arigid rectangular, frame which, in the preferred construction, is made-from square metal tubes to provide" a'bottom 22, a top 23; and opposite sides 24, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Thestructure of Fig. 1 is intended for narrow webs while that of; Fig. 3 is for wider webs, such as Webs upto 50 inches in width; Whenmsuch wide webs are handled, obviously, the frame must be wider. and the wider frame preferably is reinforced by one or more vertical intermediate su ports 2*? mediate'rollers 3i and 33 are positioned above the top 23 and are carried by arms 34. Thus, in

' both arrangements, thethree rollers form a trithe'rigidity thereof.

Anupper and, 'a lower rollertfi and 3?" respec'-' tively are mounted on the machine frame, not shown, independent of rollers EB and 31. These rollers 38 and 37 havetheir axes 3S and 39' in; vertical alignment and parallelto each other and to the'ver'ticalplan'e through the" axes 2'? and of the rollers. 28 and'B l', asbest showniin Fig. 1; Thus; the rollers28, 3i, 35'and 3'! are parallelwhen the movable frame is in central position. The lower roller Slis positioned with its top in horizontal alignment withthe bottom of the roller 28, while the bottom of the roller 36' is in horizontal alignment with the top of the roller 3! The result is that when the film'strip 26 is directed to and from the frame, the central axes of portions 40- andv 4| of the web will be in parallel'planes which are normal to the vertical plane passing through the axes of rollers 28 and 3!, as best shownin Figs. 1 and lz All the above described rollers are idlers and are rotated solely bythe web moving thereover. As the moving means for the web forms no part of the present invention it is not shown 'or described, but any suitable or'well-known drive means may be pro vided;' I V The rectangular frames of Figs. 1' and 4 are mounted so as'to be movable or tilt'able only in a'single plane which is always parallel to the vertical plane through the fixed rollers 36 and fil'so that the plane including the axes of rollers 28 and}! will always remain parallel to the plane including the axes of rollers 36 and '31. To secure this result, the bottom 22 of the frame at its,

mid-point is provided with a steel sleeve 42 in which is positioned a horizontally extending pin or'trunnion 43 formed on and projecting from a square block 44 which'is also provided with vertically extending trunnions 55 and 46, vertically movable in bearings 4i and 48 positioned on the opposite side of the frame-from the rollers 28 and 3| and 33 and carried by the machine frame. Thus, the frame may pivot or tilt about trunnion 43, andv the frame, with its pivot 43,

positioned uniformly, between thesides 24, as shown-in Fig. 3. Thus, arigid supporting'frame may move vertically, by reason of the trunnions- 45 andfi, as best shownin Fig. 2. By meansof this construction, the pivot 43, which is located at the center of the bottom 22, is free to move coupling 61 to the drive motor 68. It will now be.

up and down" vertically a small distance, for a purposezto be later described. z

The verticalposition. of the frame, with its vertically movable'pivot 43,'is determined by means of ."a;,Vshaped cam 50 secured to the underside 5|: of the top 23 and supported on a fixed roller 52 positioned in vertical alignment with the pivot trunnion 43. and mounted in any suitable manner on the main machine frame. "It will now be apparent, that if the frame is moved or tilted laterailly on' the triinnion'43 by a mechanism to be 1ater.:.described, the cam 50 will move' over the; fixed roller. 52.: As the cam is provided with'a surface which tapers upwardly from 'its midpoint; *as.-.shown"in Figs. 1' and 3, such tilting will cause :the frame to move vertically downwardly, such'movement being permitted lby the bearings 48 ;'and 249:1?- Thus, 'the'fram'e tilts, and simultaneously shifts vertically downwardly a slight aii1mmti-- ,:At the center of the top 23,2111 vertical alignment with'the roller 5 2and pivot 42, a boss 54,

Fig. 1,- and a sleeve 55, Fig. 4, areprovided through which a pin 56' projects. This pine tends in front of the frame and has mounted thereon "a rod 51 which is connected through a rod 58 and universal joints 59 to a'rod 6 0, the

right" end of which is threaded at 6| to engage'a' threaded-sleeve 62 of a gear-63 mounted in a gear box .84; The-latter has also positioned therein a gear. 65 which meshes with gear :63 and is mounted on a shaft fifi whichconnected through a apparent "that when the motor is energized, the gears 63 85 will turn to rotaterod 51 which, acting through pin 56, will impart a sideways movement or tilt to thefrarhe with its rollers 28,

3| and 33. The direction of tilt depends, of rotation of the.

course, on the direction or the motor and the parts driven thereby; 3 In narrow'frames such as shown in Fig. ,1, the

pir156 and the pivot 43 may be suflicient to retain,

each bracket has mounted therein a pair of ballbearings 10 positioned toengage opposite sides of a plate 1| firmly supported in fixed position on the machine frame. This plate is parallel tothe frame and-the rollers 28, 3| and 33. Each bearing is carried by a shaft 72, the axis of which intersects the axis of the pivot 43-, as'shown in Fig. 3. To facilitate positioning and adjustment, of e the ball bearings, the shafts 12 are mounted:

in eccentric bearings which, after adjustment, are-locked in position. These two balllb'earings together with pivot 43 form a very accurate. and rigid three-point support which assures positively the planar movement of the frame during the tilting and vertical movements. The only allowvable'motion is a rotation of about three. and onehalf degrees about the pivot 43, combined with a slight vertical movement of the pivot itself, by reason "of the cam 50. V

In operation, the web 20, with a wrap of at least 90 degrees on the lower fixed roller 31 passes to the bottom side of the lower roller 28 on the movable frame. The web may then pass directly to the upper roller 3|, but it 'is preferred to di rect the web. to the intermediate roller '33 and then to roller 3| to provide a short relatively still section extending between a pair of springpressed follower blades or pads l5 and"; adapt:

. .ed to engage opposite sides or marginal edges "ll; and 18r'espectively of the webadjacent roller 3|.

Theweb' is then wrapped aroundthe upper roller 3| with approximately 120de'grees wrap 'and fi nall'yunder and around the upper fixed roller 36" from which itpasses over idle rollers to 'coatingrolleri2l'; As the web 20, approaches fixed-frollerf 31 it" may be ofi-centeri The mechanism isdesigned for "a; maximum 'sidewarddriftof I two inches either "way from the cent'er line; or' 'a totalf of four inches. 'Whenagiven point in the web" reaches a feeler pad-15, the pad follows the web, as will belater'describeol; the direction-eithe movement depending of course on the direction' of off-centering of the web. This movement of the pad closes a switch in the circuit-of the motor 68 to energize thelatterto tilt' the frame in 'the proper direction. To secure this result, the a pad (Sis-carried by the upperend of an arm 19,]th'e lowerend of which is secured to one end of a rock shaft: supported in a housing 8|. Theotherf end of the'shaft 80 hass'ecured thereto a depend-iv ing arm 82 which extends downwardly between a pairof rollers83 and 84- of'a switches 85 and 86, as shown in minatesbe'tween a pair of adjustable stop screws 81 which limit the movement of the arm SZ and' hence. the pad I5. A spring 88 has one ei'id'fa chored. to the housing8 and the other'end ate tachedto thea'rm 82'to hold pad -l5yielda'bly in contact with the edge Ofth edg n jjeafly shoWn.inFig.'6. I 1 I Assume now that the entering jweb ioj hasf drifted to the left or towards pad 15, Fig.12 The pad is then pushed outwardly or to the "left as" Such movement will bummer shaft r80 in a counter-clockwise direction, as.

viewed in Fig. 1.

viewed in Fig. 6, to turn arm 82 similarlyto move the latter into engagement with thefroller. 83fto,

switch; througha circuit w pe laterdes' clo'sethe microswitch BEL -The closing ef t energizes the motor 68 to cause the latter mm, tats-in such a' direction as' to tilt the frame to the'right or in a clockwise pivotz43. Such'tilting will cause'theweb'to creep gradually back to the-right, I

When the web has been returned to itsfcent r position, the arm 82 has been moved sufiiciently. 7 motor stops. If, how? ever, the web is off-center to-the right, Fig. 11 the to open switch 85 and the pad 15v will follow 'the weband move to theri ht.

Such movement will shift arm 82 to the ieftlimgfi energize motor '68 in a. manner to "shiftitl'ie frame to the left or me couns When the-webfisi'again 1 6, to close switch 86 to' tor-clockwise direction. recentered, switch stops-w This tilting 2 0 to leave the roller-3| Ways lying in a plane rollers '36 and 31 and of roller 36. Thus, th in a centered relation tering when directed 88 is opened and theniot e web is always; dischargedto the tiltingframe:

It-will be apparent that if the web 20 being" fed to the lower roller 28 is ofi'ecenter, the frame. will be tilted to correct this condition. such tilting'will', however, tilt roller 28 andtiius riioi e web upwardly and above the top of the 'rouersi" the'center line of the the plane formed" by pair :of micro- Fig.6.; The arm. 82i extends below-the -rollers 83 and 84 and terc bed direction aboutt he I h med 15 15;; i lowingthewe 28, by reason of'the Spring-1288;.

of the frame causes the web. with its center. line 'alperpendicular to the fixed Passing th o L h Jten er.

irrespective of its oiT -cenand. the bottom of "thezroller; 28 when'the latter i'sziniits center, position..- It is necessary" that the;.center line ofthe: web as: it. reaches-the. bottom roller .2 8 should" always be perpendicular to. the vertical plane through rollers 29 and;3.I Inxorder. tomaintain this condition when the movableframe'tilts, the cam 50 causes theframe and:the pivot i3 tomove vertically'downwardly inaangamount sufiicient to keep the centerline oftheincoming web 20,- rather-than the center line of; the roller 28, perpendicular to rollers:

brought back to, the center, nevertheless, these:

increments are so small, being approximately 0.010 of an inch,.the operationis practically continuous and instantaneous and the web is maintained in the center position within the limits of the machine.

,Near. the right edge 18 of the web 29 is positioned a housing89 which'carries a pad orblade 16. This housing construction is identical" tov 81' above described except that only a single microswitch is positioned therein. This unit is adjusted against the edge I8 of the web 20' similarflto pad I5, but its purpose is entirely different When the end of the web passes pad 16, the. latter movesinwardly or to the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, under the action of' its spring to. close switch 99 which is carried in housing 89;; The closingof the latter automatically cuts out control switches 85 and 86, and transfers the. fcentering operation to the centering switch 7 90, as will be described later in connection with the wiringsdiagram. I

The mechanism accomplishing this centering operationisvery simple and consists merely of a:

doublepacting cam 93 which operates two microswitches '94 and;95, which, in turn, control motor 68, ini either its forward or reverse direction, depending onthe direction of the frame as has been-previously tilted. This unit is located at the-opposite side of the frame from motor 68,

seeFig-hlg The'cam, which consists of two offcentered rods 96 and 91, is connected so that oneside of one rod is flush with one edge of a disc. 98. and .the other side is flush with the other edge of the disc as clearly illustratedin Fig. 1.1. spe'ction. of this figure that if the rods are moved-to the left, the roller 99 of the switch 94 will move downwardly to close switch 94. A rightward movement of the rod-will, on the'oth'er hand, cause roller I09 of the switch 95, to move upwardly to. close switch 95. When, however, bioth rollers engage the periphery of the disc 98, bothiswitches 94 and 95 are opened. The rods are. mounted in suitable hearings to permit axial movement in a manner and for a purpose to be described presently.

The rod 96 is connected through a universal joint IUI and rod I02 which, in turn, is connected through. a second universal joint I03 to the rod'B'LseeFig. l, soithat when the motor 6'8fis energizedtorotate rod -to tilt the frame, the icam93' willibemoved to the right or left depending on the direction of. the rotation of 8 the rod by the: motor. Ifthe frame-is. tilted to the left, the rods 96' and;.i9"I will be shifted tothe left, as viewedin' Fig. 1, or to the'right as viewed in Figrll. This movement will close switch 95:to rotate the rod 60' to tilt theframe' to the right, Fig. 'l, and'backto itscente'r position; If, on the otherhand, the frame is tilted to=the right, theswitch 94 will be closed'to rotate motor 68 in the opposite direction to return the frame to its center position. Thus, irrespec tive of; the direction of tilt of the frame when the web isexhausted, the pad I6 will close the proper switch 94 or 95 to return the frametoits center position. Thus, by means'of pad'15 and the switches controlled thereby, -.-a tilt is.

imparted to the frame :to recenter the offcentered sheet as ,it leaves the frame. this frame, by means of'pad I6 and theswitches' controlled thereby, is returned.automaticallyto its centered position when the web is exhausted or is torn so as not to support pad I6; Thus, the frame is always in'its centered position when the web is started through the machine .It has been found-that if the rate of tilt-'of' the movable frame exceeds a certa'in'percentage of the speed of the material or web, there-is not sufiicient time for the web to adjust itself by creeping. on the; fixed roller 39. In such an event, a diagonal wrinkle will. be formed in the web between the rollers 3| and 36 with damage to the web. .It has been found that with a film web, such as photographic film base, that a safe proportion is a tilting speed'equal to ones half of one per cent of the linealspeed ofv the web.. This'figure varies with the distance be.- tween rollers 3| and 36 and with the width of the web. One of the important applications of v ment toward or away from each other so as to' It. will now be apparent from an inbe adapted for use with webs of different widths.

To secure this result, an upper rod I and a lower rod I06 are suitably supported in the machine frame and pass through openings formed: in the housings BI and 89 to support and guide the housings. The upper rod I05 is provided with right and left-hand threads so connected to the.

housings that by rotating therod the housings,

and hence the pads I5. and I6, maybe moved" toward and away from each other to engagethe web edges. A gear train I9! is connected to one end of the rod I05, and, through shaft I08, is connected with an operating handle I09. The. rotation of the latter in the proper direction will move'the pads 15 and IS in proper direc tion relative to the web to accommodate webs of different thicknesses and moves the pads into engagement therewith.

The basic purpose of the device of the pres the material so as to deliver the web to the next operation with the center line of materialco-f incident with the center'line'of'the machine.

Having described the various' structural features and the operationthereof, the diiferent electrical circuits will now be des'cribed with relation to Fig". 1 3 which discloses the wiri'ngdiagrant, i f.. 'To illustrate the operation, it is assumed that the web 20' is off-center. tothe left. Pad 15 is then-moved to the left, closing. microswitch 85 and energizing. theright control relay I 04. This completes the electrical circuit to theseries motor 68. asfollows: from .point i I I through .line III tothe normally open contact 1 H2 .onthe right control relay I04. whichis energized,..and then throughthe normally closed switchII3 on the leftv control relay. II4 which is not energized, through .lines H5 and, I I3 to the seriesmotor 58, and returning on wire] II, through a speed control resistor 8' back to the other side of the line 200; This .Will cause motor 68 to rotate in such a direction as to tilt the movable frame onathe right control relay I04 (not energized) a and from there through the line I23 .to the series gear'motor 68 and back through line II'I, through the speed resistor II8 t o the other side 2,00,0f the line. This will energize the series motor fifl to run in the reverse direction from the previous operation and totilt the. frame counterclockwise. lguringthe sequence of op erationsjust described, the pad 16 'hasbee'n held to the right continuously by the webi'20'b'ffthe material. The pad I6 holds the'centeringmicroswitch 90 in the closed position The mechanismoperating the switch 90 is arranged-so that if .there i sa'web inthemachine, regardless of how. far ofi-pente'r'it may be, this switch is actuated; TSwi'tch 9H closes the circuit ,'.to the previously mentioned'microswitch 8'5 and microswitch 86 making them efiective only when there is a web in themachine. This circuit is as follows: from one side .-0f the line IIO through the tumbler disconnecting switch I24 along lines III and I25-to the ce'ntering'microswitch 90 to line [26,fr0m thereto both micro'switches 85 and 85. '1 'If the pad I5 is moved to the left by the. web,.. microswitch 85 is operated permitting 10 right I3I. If the movable frame isofif-centerto the right. the centering limit switch left I3f2 i's actuated and the current is through I33 to the centering limit switch left 'I32-along line I35 through the coil of the centering control relay left I20 and along I29 back to the other side of the line. This energizes centering eontrol relay left I20 closing the i normally, open contact. The frame will now be driven to-'the left by-the series-motor as follows: The current will fi'owfrom'one side of the line iIil through line III to the normally-closed contact I40 on the'centering control relay right I4I which is not energized to the normally open contact-142 on the centering control relay left I20, which is energized'through that contact and line I43 to the point-previously marked I22 and'along wire I 23 to the motor'Bfl, and back through III, as previously described. This will tilt the frame back towards the-normal position until the'centering limit switch left I 32 is no longer actuated. If, when there is no material on the machine, the-frame is tilted to the left, the centering limit switch right I3I will be actuated causing the series motor 68 to turnin a direction to bring the-'frame back to its normal center position. The current path in this case is as follow From one side of .the lineIIO through'the normally closed contact on -the centering microswitch 90 to I'30,:'along-lines |33-and I34 to the centering limit switch right I 3 I, through that switch to wire I'45'and along that-wire through the coil of the centering control relay right I4I" to the other side ofthe line. This energized centering control:' relay right closing the open contact and opening. the closed' 'contact. The current tothe motor in this case is as follows: From'one' side of the line l Iflthrough'line I I I,-through the normally closed contact I46 on the centering controlrelay left :I 20 '(which is not energized) to the .normally' ope-n contact M1 on" the centering control relay right I M, (which is energized),

, through thatcontact along lines I48 and H6 to current to flow through'line I21,- "to the "coil A ofcontrol' relay I04 to the other-side of' the line; If the pad 15 is moved'to the right, the microswitch '86 is actuated permitting current to flow through line I28 and fro'm there to the coil of the'control relay I I4 and through line I29 tothe other side of the line. I

If there is no web in the film steering device, the padxlemoves, by spring action, to thef'extreme leftjof its travel. This opens the circuit tothe mi'croswitchesiBiand 85 putting them out of control; A normally closedjc'onta'ct "I30 on the centering. microswitch' 90 closes the circuit to the centering limit switch right I3I and a centering'limit switch left I32 throughline I33 which restores the movable frameft'o its center position. The circuit is asfollow's: From-one side of theline IIO through ll'l' and I25 to the. centering microswitch through the normally clo'sed 'contact to line; -133; from there through line 134 to I both the centering-limit switch left'I32, and' the"centering-limit switch 7'5 of theline;

- The circ'auits' are provided with normally closed contacts so that"cross-operations Which'would burn out: the motor are not possible. This is brought aboutby arranging the normally closed contacts in such a way-that if both the left and right relays should be energized or operated simultaneously, the current to-the motor com- .pletely openedand'f'no current can 'flow. 5 The presentxinvention 'thus provides a device which easily, po'sitively and automatically centers anzoif-centered web so as to deliver the latter in a centered relation to a subsequent operation. During this centering operation, no unequal tensions. are'applied to either of the web edgesfi In addition, no wri'nkles or abrasions "are" imparted to the web during the centering operation. *The motor 68 and backgallong III to the other" side drift detector pad I5 I is located a'tthe' closest practicallipoint:on the' lateral edge of the web preceding 'therleaving roller 3| of the tiltable frame." Such arr-arrangement permits fine incremerits of c mm (1010"), and the detection of the sidedrift and thecomp1ete correction for drift, occur at "substantiallyfthe same locatiorron theweb; r *1 f f' whilecertain embodiments of the invention have "been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a number of ways; Thisapplication is, iiherefbr, not to be limited to the precise details descri e but intended to cover all variations and mamas:

' tions thereof falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What Iclaim is: a

1. A web handling apparatus for centering a moving web, comprising in combination a planar frame member over which the web moves, web

guides on said frame member, means cooperating with said rollers for directing said web to and I from said. frame in parallel planes and normal to said frame, means for mounting said frame for pivoting movement, means cooperating with said frame for maintaining the center line] of the web directed to said frame in a single plane normal to-said frame, means for adjusting said frame in a'plane normal-tosaidsingle plane, and means responsive to theoff-center relation of the web directed toward said frame member to control saidadjusting means to position the frame member so asfto deliver the web therefrom-in-a'centered relation-to-said apparatus.

-1Z.,AW6b handling apparatusfor centering a moving web; comprising in combination a frame member, aligned web guides carried by said frame member and overwhic-h said'web moves, means cooperating withsaid guides for directing said web to'and-fro-m said'frame member in parallel planes normal'to the plane of said guides, said frame being movable in a "single plane,'means foradjusting the planar position of said frame member, means responsive to'the' off-center relation of the web directed toward :said. frame member to control said adjusting means to position the'frame member in accordance with said off center relation, and means cooperating with said frame to adjust the latter'in' its ,pl'anei'for maintaining the center line of the incoming web 1 ins, single plane.

3. A web handling apparatus for icenteringja mouingweb, comprising in combination a frame member, aligned web guides carried by said frame member and over which said Web moves,- means cooperating with said guides for directing said webtofand from said guides in parallel planes normal to a plane passing through said guides, a pivot for said frame member to permit movementthereof in a single plane, means foradju'stcoopg-zrating withsaid guides for directing said web to and front said guides in parallelsplanes normal to aplane passing through'saidguides,

a pivot-for said. framemember, means cooperating with said-pivot formaintaining' said frame member in a plane, means for adjusting the planar positionof said framemember aboutsaid pivot, means responsive to the ofi-cente'r'relation of the web moving; over said frame member to control said adjusting means to pivot said frame member to position the latter tea-discharge the web therefrom inaecentered relation, and means controlledbythe pivoting of said-frame to adjust saidpivot to maintain the center line of plane for all positions of the-frame member.

5. A web handling apparatus for centering .a moving web, comprising in'combination a frame member, aligned web guides carried by said frame member and over which said web moves, means cooperating with said guides for directing. said web to and from said guides in parallel planes normal to a plane passing through said guides, means for pivoting said frame member about a point'on one side of said member, means connect ed to said frame member in alignment with said pivot to move the frame member about said pivot to vary the angular relation thereof, means cooperating with said pivot to maintain said guides in a single plane while moving about said pivot, means responsive to the off centerrelationof the web being delivered to said frame member to'corrtrol said moving means to adjust the angular position of the frame member in accordance with the off-centering of the Web to deliver the web in a centered relation from said frame member, and means for adjusting the position of said pivot to maintain the center line of the web coming to said frame member always in the same plane.

'6. A web handling apparatus for centering a moving web, comprising in combination a frame member, aligned web guides carried by said frame member'and over-which said web moves, means cooperating with said guides for directing said web to and from said guides in parallel planes normal toa plane passing through said'gu'ides, means for pivoting said frame member abouta point on one side of said member, means connected'to said frame member in alignment with said pivot to move the frame member about said pivot'tovary-the angular relation thereof, means cooperating with, said pivot to maintain said guides in asingle plane while-moving aboutsaid p'ivot,'m'eans responsive to the off-center relation ofthe web'being delivered to said frame member to control said moving means to adjust the angular position of the frame member in accordance with the off-centering of 'the'web'to deliver theweb in a centered relation from said frame member, and'means'positioned adjacent said frame moving means to move said frame member to adjust the position of said pivot in accordance f with the angular movement of said frame member to maintain the center line of the web directed toward said guides always in the same plane" normal to the plane of the guides. v

7.4L web handling apparatus for centering'a moving web, comprising in combination a rectangular frame member, aligned web guides carriediby said frame memberover which said web movesjfixed guides'indepe'ndent of said frame member and insubstantialaligmnent with .said first guides andcooperating therewith to direct the web to and fromsaid'firstguides in parallel planes normal to a planepassing through said guide,' a-pivot for said frame connected to the center of one side thereof,-means connected to the opposite side of said frame member and in alignment with said pivot fortilting said frame memher about said pivot, meanscooperating with said pivotfor maintainingsaid first guidesin a single plane when-said frame -mem-ber is tilted about said pivot, means responsive to the oif-centerrelation-ef'said web being fed to said frame member for controlling said tilting means in accordance with the amount and direction of saidoff-centeringgto-position said'first guides so as to deliver the web from said frame in a centered relation to saidappartaus, and means positioned adjacent said tilting means and in alignment withsaid 'pivotfor varying the position .of the latter in accordance with the tilting of said frame member to maintain the center line of the web directed to said frame member in a single plane and normal to the plane passing through said first guides.

v '8. A web handling apparatus for centering a movingweb, the combination with a support, of a rectangular frame membenaligned web guides carried by said frame member and over which said; web moves, a pair of aligned guides independent of said first guides and cooperating therewith to direct said web-to and from said frame member in parallel planesnormal to a planev passing through said first guides, a pivot connected to one side of said frame member at the center thereof, frame tilting means connected to the other side of said frame member in 'align ment with said pivot to tilt the frame-member about said pivot relative to said support, means on said other side engaging said support and cooperating with said pivot to maintain said first guides in a single plane upon tilting of said frame member about said pivot, means associated with said frame member and engaging an edge of said Web and movable in response to the ofi-centerrelation of said web passing over said frame, means operatively connectingsaid edge engaging means to said tilting means totilt said frame member in accordance with the direction and amount of offcentering of said web so as to re-center saidweb relative to said support, and means positioned adjacent said tilting means and in alignment with said-pivot for moving said frame member as a whole to shift the planar position of said pivot to maintainlt'he cetner line 'of the web being dirooted to said frame member in a single planeand normal tothe plane passing through said first guides.

v.9. A'web handling apparatus for centering a moving web, comprising'in combination a rigid frame-member, aligned guides carried by said frame member and over which said web moves, means for pivoting said member about a side thereof, drive means, means on another side of said'memberand in alignment with said pivot and connected to said drive means to tilt said frame in a plane about said pivot, means cooperating with said'pivot to maintain said frame member in a plane, means cooperating with said guides for directing the web to and from said frame member in parallel planes and normal to the plane of said guides, means engaging an edge of said web and movableflin response to the off-center relation "(thereof tosaid'frame, means for connecting said edge engaging means to said drive means when said .web is off center to tilt said web to restore the latter to acentered relation, and means associated with said tilting means to move said frames and pivot. as a unit in a plane and in a direction normalto the tilting movementto maintain the center line of the web moving to said frame in a single plane for all tilted positions of said frame member.

.10, A web handling apparatus .for centering amoving web, the combination with a support, of a vertically arranged rectangular rigid frame member, a pair of vertically aligned rollers carried by said frame member over which said web moves, a pair of fixed vertically aligned rollers independent of said frame member and arranged ina vertical plane parallel to the vertical plane o'f said first rollers-said second rollers being in substantial horizontal alignment with said first 'rollerito direct said web. to and from said first 114 roller in parallel planes and normalto -the-vertical plane of said first rollers, an adjustable pivot for said frame member connected to the midpoint of the bottom side thereof, drive means, means for connecting said drive means to the midpoint of the top side of said frame member and in alignment with said pivot, means engaging the edge of said web and movable laterally therewithwhen the web is off-centered,

means for connecting said edge engaging means with said drive means to tilt saidframe member in a plane about said pivot in accordance with the off-centering of said web relative to" said frame member so as to adjust the angular relation of the frame member'to re-center the. web relativeto said apparatus, means carried by said other side and cooperating with said pivot to maintain said first rollers in a single plane when said frame member is tilted about said pivot. a roller carried by said frame in vertical alignment with said pivot, and a camcarried by said other side resting on said roller to support said frame thereon and to shift said frame member vertically in a plane upon said tiltingto' adjust the vertical position of said pivot to maintain the center line of the web fed to said frame member in a single plane normal to the plane of said first rollers for allangular positions of said .frame members.

ll. A web handlingrapparatus for centering a moving web, comprising incombination'a' rigid vertically arranged frame member, upper and lower vertically aligned rollers carried by said frame member and over which said web'moves, upper. and lower vertically aligned. rollers independent of said first rollers and positioned in a plane parallel thereto, said second pair of rollers being in substantial, horizontal alignment with said firstrollers to direct said webto andfrom said frame member in substantially parallel planes which, are normal to a vertical plane through said first rollers, an adjustable pivot connected to the lower side of said frame member at the midpoint thereof,'a pin connected to the top side of said frame member in vertical alignment with said pivot, drive means, means to connect said pin to said drive means so that operation of the latter will tilt said frame member to position the latter angularly relative to said web, rollers carried by said frame member and engaging a fixed plate and cooperating with said pivot to main said frame member'in a plane for all positions thereof, a feeler pad engaging an edge of said web and movable in response to an olf-centeringof the web, means to connect said pad to said drive means to-operate the latter when the web is off-center to tilt said frame to re-center said web, a-fixed roller, and a cam carried .by said other sideof said frame member and resting on said roller to support said frame member thereon, tilting of said frame member serving to move said cam on said roller to move said frame member vertically to shift said frame member and pivot vertically and in a, plane in accordance with the tilt of the frame member to maintain the center line of the web beingfed to the lower roller of said frame member in the same plane for all angular positions of said frame member. v

12. A web handling apparatus for centering'a moving web, comprising in combination anadjustable frame over which said web moves, web guides on said frame, means for directing-said web to and from said frame in substantially parallel planes normal to said frame, means-for --,a1B;. "A web han'dlin'g apparatus for Joenteringa moving web, z-comprising .in .co-mbination an J a'd- Piustable frame over which said web moves, drive meansfor. adiusting'said :frame, apairiof aligned web :guides :onusaid rframe, means for directing .SfiilizfWbf iiO and fromsaidiframe in:sub'stantially parallel planes :normal to said aligned iguides,

meansconnected to said frame member to move thez latter, feeler :mean engaging an edge of said webaand laterally :mova'ble in response to off- :cientering of the web as "it moves oversaidiframe member, meansfor connectingsaidfeeler to said drive .means to 'renderthe latter operative when thet'web is-ofi-center toza'djust said .frame :to recenter the 1 web as it leaves .said frame, and 'a second feeler engaging the opposite "edg idfxsaid webandymovable to an'operativ osition when the trailing :end "of the web passes to disconnect said first feeler fromsaid drive means and to connect the second ffeeler thereto to-adjust "said frame member to its centered position. I

. EM: A-web handlingapparatus:foricentering "a moving web, 'comprising in combination a pivote'diframe :member over whichsaid Ew'eb moves, web guides on said"ifram'e,:ignides arranged in alignment with said'first guides for directing the web to and from-said frame member inslparallel planes and. :normal to 'said frame, imeans responsive to the off-center relation ofithe :web "fed to "said frame member to :pivot :the :latter "to deliver-said web from said member in acentered relation, rmeans't'o adjust said frame 'member in r a, direction normal to its pivoting movement "to maintain the center line of the portion 0f -the web rbeingdirected to said frame ;member in-th'e sameipiane 'for all pivoted :positions of "the frame member, and means rendered toperative only when no web is-passing over 'saidiframeimember to ;pivot the latter to 'a "centered position.

' "15. A'web:hand-ling apparatus :for centering 'a moving web, comprising in combination .a;rigid frame: member, 'alignedweb guides oarried'bysaid frame member, guide means :for directing said :web. to and from said "first guides in parallel ,planes andnormalto a: plane passing. through said first guide, an adjustable pivot for said-frame member drive means means for connecting said drive meansto said frame member 120' tiltxtheiatterin a plane about said pivot, .m'e'ans enga ing said web "and operative when the 'webf'zbecomes air-centered relative to said frame, im'eans to ,connect said engaging means "to :said drive means to render the drivemeans'operative:when the web is off-center to -tilt:saidi-framermeniber tore center saidweb, :means rendered :operative when said frame member is tilted to :move said frame-member as awhole to-vary:the :position of said pivot in accordance-with :the ipivoting :of said frame member tov maintain the;centerline of the Web approaching said framemember in the same plane irrespectivezof the degree oftilt of said frame member, and centering;meansrcowhen the supply 'ofweb is exhausted to tiltsai'd frame meni-ber tore'turnlithe latter to itscentered position.

11 ,3 iwb zhan'dlin'g apparatus "for eentering a moving web, cempris'ing in combination a rigid frame member, aligned web giiides oarr-ied by said frame member, guide means for directing said web-mans irom said first "guides in para llel planes and normal to a plane passing through saidfirst guide/an adj ustable 7 pivot for said-"frame imemberg drive means, means forconnecting saiid drive -means to said frame member to tilt the latter in a plane about said pivot, means enga ing saidweb and 'operative when the-web becomes nit-centered "relative to said frame, means to connect sa idengaging means to said drive-means to -render the drive means operative when the web is o'iT-center totilt said frame member to recenter said web, means rendered operative when said-"frame -member is tilted to move said 'fram'e-member as a whole to vary the position or said *piv'e't in accordance with the pivoting of said frame member to maintain the center line of the Web approaching-said frame member in the same "plane irrespective of thedegree-of :tilt of 'said frame member, centering means coopera ting withsa-i d web and r'endered operative iwhen the suppl-y of web is exhausted; to tilt *saidfframe fmember to return the latter to its'centered position, and means for rendering the centering means *inoperative when said frame member reachesits-center-position. r

1-7. *A 4 web handling apparatus *for centering a moving web, comprising in combination "a rigid "frame *member, aligned web guides ca'rried' by said --frame member, :guide *means for directing "said web to and from said firstguid'es in parallel planes and normal to a plane passing throughsa'id first-guide, an adjustable pivot forsaid frame member, drive means; means forconnecting said drive means ,to said frame membertotiltthe latterina plane about said pivotfmeans engaging saidweb and "operative when the web be- :comes ofi'efcentered relative to said frame; means to connect said engaging means to said drive means to "render the :drive in e-ans oper ative wh en the web is elf-center to tilt said frame member to 'recenter said web, means rendered operative when said frame member is tilted to move said ,fram'emembertas a whole to vary 'theposition of said ,pivot in "accordance with the pivoting of said frame member 'to maintain the "center line io'ftheiweb"approaching said frame 'member in the same plane irrespective of the degree of "tilt of ;'said frame m-emb'e1 ,.centerin g means cooperating with said web 'andrendere'doperative when thesupply of web is exhausted to tilt said frame member "to return the latter to 'itsi'c'entered position,means"'f-or rendering the centering means inopera'tive'iwhen "said frame "member reaches'i-t's center pos'ition, and means cooperating with said pivot fonmaintainin'g said "frame member in a single plane during tilting and centering.

18. A web handling apparatus for centering a moving web, comprising in combination a rigid ,frame member, .aligned .web guides carried by sai ,fram-e .mem-ber, guide means for directing said {web-to and-from said first guidesin parallel planes and normal to a plane passing through said first guide, an adjustable pivot for said frame 'mem ,bier, drive means, means :for:connectingsaiddrive means tots-aid :frame member to ;ti1t:the:iatte r ;in a planeabout s'aidizpivot, afeeler pad engaging one edge of the web as the latter moves over said frame member, said pad being movable laterally in response to any off-center relation of the web, an electrical circuit connecting said pad to said drive means to render the latter operative to tilt said frame member about said pivot in a. direct and amount determined by the offcenter relative of said web so as to re-center the web as it leaves said frame member, a second feeler pad engaging the opposite edge of said web, an electrical circuit connecting said second pad to said drive means and rendered operative when the web is exhausted to open said first circuit to disconnect said first pad therefrom and simul taneously to close said second circuit to enersize said drive means to move said frame member about said pivot to its centered position, and

means for opening the second circuit when the frame member reaches its centered position.

LEON P. MOREY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Robertson Feb. 8, 1949 

